• 1.

    Habif, Thomas P: “Nevi and Malignant Melanoma,” in Clinical Dermatology: A Color Guide to Diagnosis and Therapy, 5th Ed, Elsevier Inc, 2010. Available at: http://www.mdconsult.com. Accessed October 15, 2011.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 2.

    Albreski D, Sloan SB: Melanoma of the feet: misdiagnosed and misunderstood. Clin Dermatol 27: 556, 2009.

    • Crossref
    • PubMed
    • Web of Science
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation
  • 3.

    Torres T, Rosmaninho A, Caetano M, et al: Malignant melanoma diagnosed as a diabetic foot ulcer. Diabet Med 27: 1302, 2010.

  • 4.

    Kong MF, Jogia R, Jackson S, et al: When to biopsy a foot ulcer? Seven cases of malignant melanoma presenting as foot ulcers. Pract Diab Int 25: 5, 2008.

  • 5.

    Walsh S, Fisher S, Sage R: Survival of patients with primary pedal melanoma. J Foot Ankle Surg 42: 193, 2003.

  • 6.

    Metzger S, Ellwanger U, Stroebel W, et al: Extent and consequences of physician delay in the diagnosis of acral melanoma. Melanoma Res 8: 181, 1998.

  • 7.

    Zelent ME, Neese DJ, Graham RB: Malignant melanoma masquerading as a decubitus heel ulceration. Wound 18: 25, 2006.

  • 8.

    Clark WH, From L, Bernardino EA, et al: The histogenesis and biologic behavior of primary human malignant melanomas of the skin. Cancer Res 29: 705, 1969.

    • PubMed
    • Search Google Scholar
    • Export Citation

Malignant Melanoma Presenting as a Nonhealing Heel Ulceration

Jacqueline Nicole Fussell Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.

Search for other papers by Jacqueline Nicole Fussell in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 MD
,
David Lee Troutman Department of Podiatry, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.

Search for other papers by David Lee Troutman in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 DPM
,
Eric Hossler Departments of Dermatology and Dermatopathology, Geisinger Medical Center, Danville, PA.

Search for other papers by Eric Hossler in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 MD
, and
Shilpa Agarwal George Washington University School of Medicine, Danville, PA.

Search for other papers by Shilpa Agarwal in
Current site
Google Scholar
PubMed
Close
 MD

Malignant melanoma is responsible for more than three-fourths of skin cancer deaths in the United States. Melanomas presenting on acral surfaces are frequently misdiagnosed initially, leading to progression of disease and worse prognosis. This case is presented to reinforce the significance of careful physical examination and early biopsy of atypical ulcerations of the foot.

Corresponding author: Jacqueline Nicole Fussell, MD, Department of Dermatology, Geisinger Medical Center, 115 Woodbine Lane, Danville, PA 17822-5206. (E-mail: jnfussell@geisinger.edu)
Save